Global Warming
The words of warning about global warming from the top panel of international scientists said “warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” the cause is “very likely” man-made, and “would continue for centuries.”
A report on the how, what and why the planet is warming – though not telling the world what to do about it- the intergovernmental Panel on climate change gave bleak observation of what is happening now and even more dire prediction for the future.
“Warming of the climate system in unequivocal, as is now evident from observation of
increase in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow ad ice, and rising global mean sea level,” the report said.
The report said man-made emissions of greenhouse gases can already be blamed for fewer cold days, hotter nights, killer heat waves, floods and heavy rains, devastating droughts, and an increase in hurricane and tropical storm strength – particularly in the Atlantic Ocean.
“It is critical that we look at this report… as a moment where the focus of attention will shift from whether climate changed is linked to human activity, whether the science is sufficient, to what on earth are we going to do about it,” UN Environment Programmer executive director Achim Steiner said.
Another report by the panel later this year will address the most effective measures for slowing global warming.
If it looks bad now, the harmful effects during the 21st
century “would very likely to larger than those observed during the 20th century,” the report said.